Today's letters: More tolerance

Published: Sunday, October 6, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, October 4, 2013 at 4:54 p.m.

To the editor: The bitter debate raging over the annual funding of the federal government, combined with an even more acrimonious contest of wills over the raising of the federal debt ceiling limit, is indicative of the current state of our nation’s government, our elected officeholders and our society as a whole.

We are quick to express inflexible opinions of each other based on selective issues, opinions or party affiliations. We paralyze our government with our polarized attitudes. Words such as “liberal” and “conservative” have lost any political meaning and have been replaced as cultural epithets.

We need to again consider the Founding Fathers’ agonizing process of compromises that created our government and the innumerable acts of conciliation that sustained it. As citizens of a diverse nation, we need to be a more tolerant and discerning electorate, judging people only on the merit of their ideas.

Our problems demand urgent attention by prudent and reasonable people whose concern is for the prosperity and preservation of our society.

Ronnie Edwards

Mills River

The gun debate

To the editor: Ron Kauffman’s Sept. 25 column was excellent. He explains the huge difference between AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles and fully automatic rifles, i.e. “assault rifles.” Seemingly, the anti-gun people are too stubborn to acknowledge that difference.

Kauffman offers a primer on the Constitution, specifically the Second Amendment. It must come as a surprise to many gun haters to learn that they are militia members.

He presents the view that anyone who wishes to own a semi-automatic rifle should be allowed to because it is his/her constitutional Second Amendment right. It really is no one else’s business why as long as local and state regulations are met.

Frankly, from my viewpoint, with the tremendous expansion of the federal government and its powers and constant infringement upon our basic constitutional rights, and the huge expansion and arming of the DHS, which seemingly answers only to the White House, I would think that any sensible, thinking person would see the writing on the wall and consider arming him/herself against the tyranny from which our forefathers strived so hard to protect us.

“It’s better to die on one’s feet than live on one’s knees.” (Attributed to Emiliano Zapata.)

Bob Hoover

Etowah

An ugly debate

To the editor: Not the first letter and probably not the last on the subject of the infamous new landmark downtown, ”affectionately” dubbed “the tooth” by some, but one can hope. I am amazed by the furor this has created and the intensity of the ugliness that is being generated.

Some are bothered by the cost, and some have suggested moving it to another location. Really? Who is going to do this for free? Why spend more money to dismantle and move it? It is just not that bad. Whether you personally like it or not, someone put a great deal of effort into trying to replicate God’s handiwork (how easy is that?) and we need to get over it, accept it and move on, for pete’s sake.

It is ours; let’s embrace it and realize that it is impossible to please all the people, all the time. Actually, I’m more bothered by the ultra-modern building on Church across from the First Citizens parking lot that looks like it belongs in Asheville. Kind of surprised no one has raised Cain about that.

Marianne Michelin

Hendersonville

Proud volunteer

To the editor: Thank you for printing the letter regarding the poorest states! Unfortunately, those who are targets are probably the illiterate who do not read newspapers or public interest items. Born, raised and educated in Boston and Baltimore (not your poorest states), I am proud to be a Democrat!

As a retired educator and health care worker as well as a consummate volunteer, I realize that these folks do not participate in large numbers in the volunteer opportunities in our communities.

Our family is raising the fourth generation of educators and health care workers, the most recent here in the Carolinas. Great praise to the efforts of our community colleges as well as our merchants who offer links to education. How many take advantage of this free money?

Yes, the poor will always be with us, and all the more reason to give them a leg up.

<p>To the editor: The bitter debate raging over the annual funding of the federal government, combined with an even more acrimonious contest of wills over the raising of the federal debt ceiling limit, is indicative of the current state of our nation’s government, our elected officeholders and our society as a whole.</p><p>We are quick to express inflexible opinions of each other based on selective issues, opinions or party affiliations. We paralyze our government with our polarized attitudes. Words such as liberal and conservative have lost any political meaning and have been replaced as cultural epithets.</p><p>We need to again consider the Founding Fathers’ agonizing process of compromises that created our government and the innumerable acts of conciliation that sustained it. As citizens of a diverse nation, we need to be a more tolerant and discerning electorate, judging people only on the merit of their ideas.</p><p>Our problems demand urgent attention by prudent and reasonable people whose concern is for the prosperity and preservation of our society.</p><p><em>Ronnie Edwards</em></p><p><em>Mills River</em></p><h3>The gun debate</h3>
<p>To the editor: Ron Kauffman’s Sept. 25 column was excellent. He explains the huge difference between AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles and fully automatic rifles, i.e. assault rifles. Seemingly, the anti-gun people are too stubborn to acknowledge that difference.</p><p>Kauffman offers a primer on the Constitution, specifically the Second Amendment. It must come as a surprise to many gun haters to learn that they are militia members.</p><p>He presents the view that anyone who wishes to own a semi-automatic rifle should be allowed to because it is his/her constitutional Second Amendment right. It really is no one else’s business why as long as local and state regulations are met.</p><p>Frankly, from my viewpoint, with the tremendous expansion of the federal government and its powers and constant infringement upon our basic constitutional rights, and the huge expansion and arming of the DHS, which seemingly answers only to the White House, I would think that any sensible, thinking person would see the writing on the wall and consider arming him/herself against the tyranny from which our forefathers strived so hard to protect us.</p><p>It’s better to die on one’s feet than live on one’s knees. (Attributed to Emiliano Zapata.)</p><p><em>Bob Hoover</em></p><p><em>Etowah</em></p><h3>An ugly debate</h3>
<p>To the editor: Not the first letter and probably not the last on the subject of the infamous new landmark downtown, affectionately dubbed the tooth by some, but one can hope. I am amazed by the furor this has created and the intensity of the ugliness that is being generated.</p><p>Some are bothered by the cost, and some have suggested moving it to another location. Really? Who is going to do this for free? Why spend more money to dismantle and move it? It is just not that bad. Whether you personally like it or not, someone put a great deal of effort into trying to replicate God’s handiwork (how easy is that?) and we need to get over it, accept it and move on, for pete’s sake.</p><p>It is ours; let’s embrace it and realize that it is impossible to please all the people, all the time. Actually, I’m more bothered by the ultra-modern building on Church across from the First Citizens parking lot that looks like it belongs in Asheville. Kind of surprised no one has raised Cain about that.</p><p><em>Marianne Michelin</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Proud volunteer</h3>
<p>To the editor: Thank you for printing the letter regarding the poorest states! Unfortunately, those who are targets are probably the illiterate who do not read newspapers or public interest items. Born, raised and educated in Boston and Baltimore (not your poorest states), I am proud to be a Democrat!</p><p>As a retired educator and health care worker as well as a consummate volunteer, I realize that these folks do not participate in large numbers in the volunteer opportunities in our communities.</p><p>Our family is raising the fourth generation of educators and health care workers, the most recent here in the Carolinas. Great praise to the efforts of our community colleges as well as our merchants who offer links to education. How many take advantage of this free money?</p><p>Yes, the poor will always be with us, and all the more reason to give them a leg up.</p><p><em>Gail Shuford</em></p><p><em>Crooked Creek</em></p>